Kanga loves her brand new halter

On Saturday we went to a local dog shop and bought two things Kanga needed and one she didn't: 1. A new collar of her very own. When she outgrew her puppy collar, we couldn't find a collar small enough for her that we liked (shopping is limited on Maui). She actually wore an old collar of Maui's for a few months, while Molly looked for a collar that she liked and was lightweight and thin enough for Kanga's little neck. 2. A harness. When Kanga turned into a teenager a few weeks ago she started pulling on her leash, too. She would pull so hard that she'd choke herself. I took advice from you guys and got her a harness. The leash attaches in the back and I like how when she pulls, she feels it tightening on her shoulders (not her neck). When she stops pulling, she stops feeling tightness. She immediately stopped pulling on her leash. I think the tightness must kind of feel like being tapped on the shoulder, while the collar felt like being choked. I'd rather have someone tap on my shoulder to remind me not to pull, than choke me. Here's a picture of her just about to set out on a hike in the rainforest. Doesn't she look sporty?

3. A leash that matches her collar. (This is the item I felt we didn't need.). They had a lightweight, thin leash that matches her collar, and I decided to get it because she and Molly were so excited about it. (Really, it was Molly who was so excited. I don't think Kanga much cares about the leash.)

My dog is not a prissy dog, and I have proof. When Molly tried to put a pink harness and a pink collar on her, she shook her head back and forth like she didn't want them. When Molly tried on the bumblebee collar and the aqua blue harness, she stepped in happily and even lay down to have the collar put on. It was funny how she did NOT want the pink. After we made our purchases we went on our hike, and Kanga jumped over roots, splashed through mud puddles, and smelled everything. She was so happy. It was her first time in the rainforest, and she really, really liked it. So did I. Here's a picture of her in the car after the hike. She's pooped, but pretty happy.

Ahh. The Turquoise looks wonderful on Kanka. I love that she is not a prissy dog. Our Chloe looks all girly and proper, but she is a tom boy through and through. I agree with the M Shahovskoyr; a harness is a must for a small dog or a soft trachea pooch. Just thinking of little Kanga marching fearlessly through a rain forest makes me smile. You go gir!

Hey James did you ever read my e-mail about Emily being diagnosed with IMHA. Her immune system is destroying her red blood cells. She is in remission right now but I almost lost her twice. I was just wondering because you've never responded and I was wondering if you know anything about the disease. Please let me know when you have the time. Thanks, Karen

We used to use collars but our male (when we was still with us) would pull so hard on the collar, he would almost choke himself too. When I got my "baby" (in the pic), I picked up a halter and she loves it. She likes to play a little "catch me" game when she sees it but knows that's her ticket out of the house for awhile. :-) I found the harness works very well and makes for a more enjoyable walk.

While I've always use a cloth collar for my JRTs, I noticed my daughter had a harness for her Havanese and it works beautifully. I wonder if 9 and 12 year olds are too old to adapt to harness v collar?

I have minpins and must use harness - I have seatbelts for them, too. My dobermans have collars but they behave much better than the pins...if you know anything about pins you get the picture.... LOL but I love 'em.